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ONE bantamweight world champion John Lineker blasted through ONE's 145-pound roster on his way to taking the belt. After plowing through three world-class fighters, including former world champion Kevin Belingon, 'Hands of Stone' got his hands on the bantamweight king Bibiano Fernandes.
Fernandes is a former multi-time IBJJF world champion and has become one of the most successful world champions in ONE Championship. 'The Flash' has a record of the most world title defenses in ONE with nine and was looking unstoppable coming into the fight.
Lineker, however, never got fazed as he continually hunted the world champion, producing an epic slugfest from start to finish. The furious exchanges even had Fernandes knocking Lineker down but the challenger immediately recovered and started swinging again. In the second round, 'Hands of Stone' was able to land his killshot and end the match.
Watch the finish here:
"From all angles 🎥 “Hands of Stone” vs. “Wonder Boy” is going to be a BARNBURNER! Their ONE Bantamweight World Championship battle goes down at ONE on Prime Video 3 on October 21! @johnlinekermma"
John Lineker looks to defend his belt against Fabricio Andrade at ONE on Prime Video 3
On October 21, at ONE on Prime Video 3, ONE bantamweight king John Lineker will make the first defense of his strap. It's not going to be an easy one though, as Lineker will face the surging 'Wonder Boy' Fabricio Andrade.
Andrade has been gunning for a world title shot ever since debuting in ONE Championship. After 'Wonder Boy' stopped Kwon Won Il with a liver kick back in June, he finally got what he wanted.
Exuding tremendous confidence leading up to his world title clash with John Lineker, Andrade even made a bold prediction when he posted about the fight on his Instagram account:
"In 17 days I am gonna turn Lineker in to a wrestler, I am the real hands of stone. #ANDNEW #wonderboy #oneonprimevideo3"
An interesting statement indeed. John Lineker has not been using much of grappling, as he almost always knocks his opponents unconscious on the feet. If Andrade becomes threatening enough that it forces Lineker to wrestle out of desperation, that would be a sight to see. It will also not bode well for the world champion.
All we have to do now is wait until October 21 to witness the action and drama unfold.
